(How) Do You Hear God's Voice?

[Bravus]

(mods, I think this is about personal experience rather than theology, but if you need to move it that's fine)

I'm leading out in our small group Bible study this Wednesday night, and the topic is waiting on God to speak to us. I thought as part of my preparation that I'd ask a community of believers, some with long experience, about how that happens for them.

Please respect others' answers and experiences.

[Bravus]

Note that total vote numbers on the two polls won't match up, since those who vote that God has never spoken to them on the first one may not be able to vote on the second...

[abelisle]

I found it very interesting that during the Vietnam War when I was a student at AUC, there were quite a few guys who said God spoke to them to become theology students and in the process get their 2-S and 2-D deferment status.

God works in miraculous ways for some peopole, didn't He?

Alex

[phkrause]

I found it very interesting that during the Vietnam War when I was a student at AUC, there were quite a few guys who said God spoke to them to become theology students and in the process get their 2-S and 2-D deferment status.

God works in miraculous ways for some peopole, didn't He?

Alex

At least they found a way around the draft, so to speak, than running like cowards to other countries. The funny thing about that is most of them probably hated Mohammad Ali, but at least he stood up for his belief against the was and went to prison and lost 5 years of his life. If you want to call it a life?

pk

[Bravus]

bump

[Gail]

Great question, Bravus!

I get strong impressions most of the time. Sometimes the right Scripture will pop into my head when needed, and sometimes an action that I need to do, usually concilatory, will nag at me. Sometimes it is so strong at night (because that is when something bothering me is likely to manifest itself) that I write it down in order to work on it later.

[Gerr]

When I first met the girl who was to become my wife, I could almost swear that I heard a voice in my head that told me this was the woman for me. I have gone on dates with a number of other girls, but never got that impression or heard that voice. I had prayed many times over the years to guide me in my choice. It was too important a decision to make on my own alone.

God also speaks to us in the way circumstances work out. Between culture shock and lack of direction when I first went to college, I dropped out and joined the US Navy. After my term of service, I went back to college. I considered pursuing a few lines of work, but didn't work out. I was so earnest in asking for guidance that I even prayed that I would be satisfied being a garbage collector if that is what He thought suited me best. I have no doubt in my mind that graduating from LLUSM was nothing short of a miracle as an answer to prayer. I had nothing when I went to med school. My father was a common laborer and could barely support his own family and so could not help me.

It also helped that I got some encouragement from godly friends I met along the way.

Another way that I have experienced God speaking to me is when an overwhelming conviction to do something comes along that I couldn't shake off. But the most common way that I hear God speaking to me is through His word. Most of the things I read in His word, I take as though He is speaking them directly to me.

[Liz]

While I do believe HE has spoken to me a time or two, it is mainly through the Bible, or even other people will randomly come up to me and say something that I just "know" came from God.

[Woody]

Hey. I just found this thread. Some cool responses.

Thanks for this Bravus.

[jasd]

>>I found it very interesting that during the Vietnam War when I was a student at AUC, there were quite a few guys who said God spoke to them to become theology students and in the process get their 2-S and 2-D deferment status.

God works in miraculous ways for some peopole, didn't He?<<

Indeed!—during the Vietnam conflict, I attempted to join the Army but was refused. It must have been ‘principalities and powers’ that spoke to the Army recruiters – denying my service in Nam.

How fortunate!—else, rather than sharing with y’all, to your benefit I might add – I might have, instead, been pushing up rice stalks in the Mekong Delta.

So, mebbe, Gd speaking to another re ourselves might have been a suitable polling question..., yes?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

The first time in 25 years that I went back to church I was caught in a huge traffic jam on a three lane highway right outside of a tunnel due to an accident on the other side of the tunnel. I was in the right lane, but it was at a dead stop. All of a sudden, a voice told me to get into the middle lane (where cars had been also at a dead stop). I looked behind me and no cars were coming in the middle lane and there were no cars in front of me in the middle lane. I sailed right by all the right lane traffic, went past the accident, and got back into the right hand lane. It was the weirdest thing.

In the end, I kinda wished I hadn't gone to church. It was Communion Sabbath. NOT something I wanted to be a part of at that particular time.

[phkrause]

The first time in 25 years that I went back to church I was caught in a huge traffic jam on a three lane highway right outside of a tunnel due to an accident on the other side of the tunnel. I was in the right lane, but it was at a dead stop. All of a sudden, a voice told me to get into the middle lane (where cars had been also at a dead stop). I looked behind me and no cars were coming in the middle lane and there were no cars in front of me in the middle lane. I sailed right by all the right lane traffic, went past the accident, and got back into the right hand lane. It was the weirdest thing.

In the end, I kinda wished I hadn't gone to church. It was Communion Sabbath. NOT something I wanted to be a part of at that particular time.

No but it seems God wanted you to participate.

He definitely works in mysteries ways!

pk

[oldsailor29]

I am old, and I have some advice for the younger people here. If you feel like God is neglecting you, pray about it. And when you pray for a miracle, make it specific. Also, make your request in a silent prayer, for the enemy is listening.

When I felt that God was not attending to me, I prayed silently for extra cash, which I pledged to the investment fund of my church. I pledged all the extra cash for one year. The following day at work, I was informed that retroactive from the first of that month, I would be receiving an additional three dollars per hour. I think that was a very emphatic statement from God, that He was carefully watching over me, and that I did not need to be concerned about my feelings of being neglected.

[TWNolan]

I am old, and I have some advice for the younger people here. If you feel like God is neglecting you, pray about it. And when you pray for a miracle, make it specific. Also, make your request in a silent prayer, for the enemy is listening.

Actually, that is why we should pray out loud, because the enemy is listening. Yes, God can hear you either way, but what about that passerby who over hear you? or your spouse? or your child? People could over hear and take courage from your prayer or stop and ask you about God, which could allow you to lead him to Jesus. Daniel back in Persia didn't pray quietly for he had NO fear of his enemies. I say we should follow his example.

[oldsailor29]

Actually, that is why we should pray out loud, because the enemy is listening. Yes, God can hear you either way, but what about that passerby who over hear you? or your spouse? or your child? People could over hear and take courage from your prayer or stop and ask you about God, which could allow you to lead him to Jesus. Daniel back in Persia didn't pray quietly for he had NO fear of his enemies. I say we should follow his example.

If you want to be sure it isn't the enemy who answers your prayer, it has to be a thought prayer, not even whispered. You can pray aloud of course. But Jesus advises us to pray secretly. (Matt.6:6) The enemy cannot read our thoughts, but he is listening to all he can hear, so he can lead us astray. Never trust an answer you get from a voiced prayer. The devil answers many of those prayers.

[Gail]

Jesus used Scripture to combat the devil everytime. If you prayed Scripture out loud, saying something like, "I believe You, Lord, when You say the You are my refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble," or claim such a promise, will you not be answered?

[Jeannieb43]

If you want to be sure it isn't the enemy who answers your prayer, it has to be a thought prayer, not even whispered. You can pray aloud of course. But Jesus advises us to pray secretly. (Matt.6:6) The enemy cannot read our thoughts, but he is listening to all he can hear, so he can lead us astray. Never trust an answer you get from a voiced prayer. The devil answers many of those prayers.

I heard Elder H. M. S. Richards, Jr. once say in a sermon that in his daily devotions he prayed half of his prayer aloud and half of it silently, because he didn't want the devil to know some of the things he was praying about!

[oldsailor29]

Jesus used Scripture to combat the devil everytime. If you prayed Scripture out loud, saying something like, "I believe You, Lord, when You say the You are my refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble," or claim such a promise, will you not be answered?

Oral prayer is certainly a good thing, except when the motive for it, is to make ourselves look better in the eyes of others. And I would never say anyone does that, so oral prayer is generally good. And, Gail, I would say that the prayer you ask about is certainly a good example, but does not require an answer. I cannot think of a prayer which requires an answer, which if prayed aloud could not be answered by Satan.

[oldsailor29]

I heard Elder H. M. S. Richards, Jr. once say in a sermon that in his daily devotions he prayed half of his prayer aloud and half of it silently, because he didn't want the devil to know some of the things he was praying about!

H. M. S. Richards was one of my favorite evangelists. I have a profound respect for him and for Junior. It gives me a very good feeling to know that someone of his stature has the same concerns about prayer falling upon the wrong ears. Thank you very much.

[phkrause]

Originally Posted By: oldsailor29

If you want to be sure it isn't the enemy who answers your prayer, it has to be a thought prayer, not even whispered. You can pray aloud of course. But Jesus advises us to pray secretly. (Matt.6:6) The enemy cannot read our thoughts, but he is listening to all he can hear, so he can lead us astray. Never trust an answer you get from a voiced prayer. The devil answers many of those prayers.

I heard Elder H. M. S. Richards, Jr. once say in a sermon that in his daily devotions he prayed half of his prayer aloud and half of it silently, because he didn't want the devil to know some of the things he was praying about!

Well isn't that interesting? I'd never heard that about him before. Thanks for sharing that.

pk

[Bravus]

If the devil hears and answers prayers addressed to God, does God hear and answer prayers addressed to the devil?

[phkrause]

If the devil hears and answers prayers addressed to God, does God hear and answer prayers addressed to the devil?

Most interesting thoughts Bravus!

pk

[WayneV]

I have heard God's voice only twice in my life. Even then, what I was told was verified by two or more other "witnesses" (i.e. Scripture, the elders, etc.). Most of the time, He speaks to me through Scripture. Occasionally, I have received instant knowledge of someone who had a need or to pray for a certain person.

The most interesting way that He has spoken to me happened during a time of solitude and silent prayer. It wasn't really a "vision" but it was a visualization. While my eyes were closed in prayer, Jesus appeared before me (not really, my eyes were closed so it was like a movie on the inside of my eyelids), and even though His head wrap was obcuring His face, I could see His scars. Then He let down His head wrap so I could see, but the face was of one of my unsaved family members. Then the face began to slowly morph, going through five specific people that I knew and had been praying for. At the end of it I was compelled to contact each of them and pray with and for them.

Agape`

[Guest]

That's amazing WayneV

[Guest]

Originally Posted By: Jeannieb43

I heard Elder H. M. S. Richards, Jr. once say in a sermon that in his daily devotions he prayed half of his prayer aloud and half of it silently, because he didn't want the devil to know some of the things he was praying about!

H. M. S. Richards was one of my favorite evangelists. I have a profound respect for him and for Junior. It gives me a very good feeling to know that someone of his stature has the same concerns about prayer falling upon the wrong ears. Thank you very much.

Years ago H.M.S. Richards Jr. came to our campmeeting and preached a sermon. It was a fantastic sermon, and I'll never forget it.

It was about Saul defeating the Amalikites and coming back with Agag after he was told to kill everyone and everything. I wish I had it on video. H.M.S. Jr. was a mighty preacher on that day. I could listen to him preach every week. I wonder if maybe I could some of his sermons on video, or audio.

And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed be you to the LORD. I have performed the commandment of the LORD." And Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?" 1Sam 15:13,14